The State Police have taken a great step in further protecting our children. I will follow through on my legislation in order to reinforce the initiative taken by law enforcement.
There is still much more that West Virginia can do to protect our children from sexual predators.
Our Legislature needs to increase sentencing of first offense pedophiles and require electronically monitored probation. Sexual offenders of children age 12 and younger, who are repeat offenders, should spend their life in prison.
When sex offenders are released from prison, written notification to residents living within 500 feet of the released sex offender should be required.
Despite serving their prison time or receiving treatment, many sex offenders tend to quickly repeat their behavior. Pedophiles demonstrate an alarming recidivism and demand long prison sentences and other measures that may seem harsh. One conviction often belies the reality that many children were abused in the past by this offender and many more future innocent children await them to be victimized.
In closing, I must thank the governor and administration for honoring my requests to cross reference names on the state sex offender registry with state funding of Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra.
I have been notified that neither Public Employees Insurance Agency nor the prison system have been funding sexual enhancement drugs to people listed on the sex offender registry. Unfortunately, the cross reference with Medicaid indicated that sex offenders were receiving tax payer funded sexual enhancement drugs. They have promised to end this practice.
Delegate Cindy Frich
R-Monongalia
Morgantown